Turkey says Germany key ally despite Armenian Genocide recognitionJune 3, 2016 - 16:13 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey on Friday, June 3 said Germany was still a key ally despite Ankara's fury over a parliament resolution that recognized the mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman forces as genocide, AFP reports. Seeking to keep the dispute from erupting into a full-blown crisis, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim emphasized the key relationship would continue while Berlin said ties were strong enough to weather splits. The German lower house on Thursday passed a non-binding resolution recognizing the mass killings of Armenians from 1915 under the Ottoman Empire as genocide, prompting Ankara to recall its ambassador from Berlin for consultations. "Germany and Turkey are two very important allies. No one should expect that relations will suddenly deteriorate completely because of this decision or similar decisions," Yildirim said. "Whatever the circumstances, we will continue the relationship with our friends and our allies," he added. Pointing to a counter resolution passed by the Turkish parliament condemning its German counterpart, he said Turkey would react and said ties had been "seriously damaged." Beyond recalling the ambassador, it was not clear what concrete action Ankara could take against Berlin, and EU capitals will hope there is no knock-on effect on the controversial deal aimed at stemming the flow of migrants through Turkey, AFP says. Many top officials and the press made no secret of their anger, with some implying Germany wanted to hide its own guilt for the Holocaust. Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said Germany wanted to say "'I am not the only one that committed genocide'." Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |